How to 3D Print Image Files!

Recently I discovered this technique in Cura and while I'm definitely not the first to use it, I wanted to share it with the Printables Community!

You may have noticed while working in Cura that while importing STL or other 3D printing files, several types of image files are actually supported by Cura. By honing a few settings, these files can be easily printed with incredible results!

I've included a test STL in case you'd like to see the results before making your own settings. 

The Process:

1. Open up the import menu in Cura and choose an image file to bring in. (I happened to use a classic for the purpose of Rickrolling everyone who reads this :) The more light/dark contrast in the photo, the better. You'll see why as we move on. 
2. You will see a settings menu appear, and this is where you will refine the parameters for your specific picture. Essentially, Cura just recognizes contrast within pictures and translates that contrast into an elevation map of sorts. Higher contrast=more exaggerated peaks and valleys. This is why that light/dark contrast that I mentioned is important.   m
3. There are really only a couple settings that need edited depending on your picture. You'll notice that you can change the “Darker is higher” setting to "Lighter is higher", but interestingly the visual difference is almost nothing.
4. The “Height” setting is important for build plate adhesion. Although the pictures are imported flat on the build plate, we will rotate them vertically for the best print results. With this in mind, you'll want your picture to be thick enough to stick well and not warp during printing. Experiment with the height value that's best for your project.Increasing the height adds both stability and helps to emphasize the details in the image.
5. The “Smoothing” setting is one that won't be used in most cases, but might be useful sometimes. The sharpest surface detail comes from the lowest smoothness setting. Below you can see smoothed versus not smoothed.
6. As far as slicing, it's best to print at relatively high quality to produce the best surface details. I printed mine at .12mm resolution, but of course this can change with scaling. Additionally, only one wall is needed, making print times and material usage surprisingly low. Vase mode printing is an option as well, although gcode mishaps do occur sometimes with image files.

Conclusion:

This technique opens up yet another awesome way to use your 3D printer, and is remarkably easy to use. I hope these tips inspired you get started making your own printed pictures, and I'd love to see your results in the Makes section!